Future peace officers are ready for the workforce after completing summer academies in Grand Forks and West Fargo.
Graduation ceremonies for Lake Region State College summer Peace Officer Training programs will be held this week. The Grand Forks Peace Officer Training Program graduation will be held at 11:00 am Wednesday August 16th in Red River HS Auditorium. West Fargo graduates will go through their ceremony at 11:00 am Thursday, August 17th in West Fargo High School Auditorium.
Students earn their Peace Officer Training Certificate from Lake Region State College. LRSC has been delivering the Peace Officer Training Program in North Dakota since 1987, offering the program in Grand Forks and West Fargo in the summers.
Summer peace officer academies are possible through the support of partner agencies, said LRSC Peace Officer Training Director John Maritato.
“We would not be able to hold successful academies without the support of Grand Forks PD and West Fargo PD. The facilities and instructors provided are phenomenal. We look forward to lasting relationships with these two agencies,” Maritato said.
Maritato added that this summer was exceptional as both Grand Forks and West Fargo Police Departments hired individuals who needed the academy.
“We worked together to give the highest level of training possible to all students and worked very closely with our partner agencies. Students that came in without a job offer and were actively looking for employment received offers while in the academy,” Maritato said.
Of the 13 graduates in the Grand Forks program, eight have been hired by Grand Forks Police Department, two with Three Affiliated Tribes, and one with Walsh County Sheriff Office. The others are in the application and hiring process.
Three of the seven West Fargo graduates have conditional offers with WFPD, two are in the application process with WFPD, one is going to Dickinson’s Police Department and another is still in the application process.
Lake Region State College will hold its fall and spring academies on its campus in Devils Lake. Fall semester starts August 22nd. For more information on the LRSC Peace Officer Training Academy, contact Maritato at (701) 662-1683.